Seating



Jan. 18, 1966 PROPST 3,230,011

SEATING Filed July 5, 1963 INVENTOR. FOB/557' Z. P/POPST ig 5W United States Patent 3,230,011 SEATING Robert L. Propst, Ann Arbor, Mich., assignor to Herman Miller, Inc, Zeeland, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed July 5, 1963, Ser. No. 292,895 7 Claims. (Cl. 297-441) This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending patent application entitled, Seating, Serial No. 143,338 filed October 6, 1961. In that application, a seating structure was disclosed utilizing a removable net fabric for supporting the sitter, having a means for allowing the net to be mounted on the chair by hand and tensioned without special tools. From the teachings of my co-pending application, nothing more than a simple mechanical motion is required to accomplish the particular tension requirement desired even though considerable force is necessary normflly in order to bring such a net to the tension necessary to bear seating loads. The present invention discloses an improved covering or net construction for use in combination with furniture components comprising a further and improved seating structure allowing the covering or net to be mounted and tensioned without special tools.

This invention relates to furniture. More particularly, this invention relates to a chair or related unit of furniture especially well adapted to be used in seating situations requiring comfortable seating for extended periods.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved unit of furniture such as a chair utilizing an improved covering or net structure including a means for tensioning the covering or net to properly bear seating loads.

Another object of this invention is the provision of such an apparatus which enables one to achieve proper tensioning without the use of special tools.

Another object of this invention is the provision of such a seating structure which enables one to quickly remove and replace the covering or net for purposes of cleaning and the like.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of such an apparatus which is extremely simple in construction and yet durable and pleasing in appearance.

These and other objects of this invention will become obvious to those skilled in the relative arts upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded, perspective view of the components of the unit of furniture of this invention prior to assembly;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, the components being assembled, the unit prepared for tensioning;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, the tensioning movement partially carried out; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an assembled and tensioned unit of furniture made in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

Briefly, this invention relates to a unit of furniture including in combination a covering or net comprising an essentially closed bag having an opening therein spaced generally midway between its ends and a pair of frame members of generally U-shape each including a pair of legs. The members are insertable into the covering through the opening and extend to the ends of the covering. Means are provided for pivotally securing the legs of the frame members together. Further, means are provided for detachably locking the frame members from movement with respect to one another after the members have been pivoted to a position where the frame members bear against the covering, tensioning the covering on the frames.

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Referring more specifically to the drawing, the reference numeral 1 designates a unit of furniture made in accordance with the teachings of this invention, the unit of furniture being a chair in the embodiment shown (FIG. 4). The chair 1 includes a covering 2, a pair of frame members 10 and a base 30. The covering 2 is preferably of a nylon or dacron knit fabric which greatly minimizes discomfort caused by pressure points and lack of ventilation. Such a net is advantageous in that it is tough and tear resistant, low in cost, easily cleaned, laundered or sterilized and very adaptable to use in adjustable or motion situations. Such a net may be provided in any color and exhibit considerable variation in density and performance characteristics. The net 2 is fabricated to comprise an essentially closed bag as shown in FIG. 1. By the expression essentially closed, I mean that no openings exist in the edges of the formed bag which permit the frames (to be described hereinafter) to be disengaged therefrom. In the embodiment shown, a pair of openings 3 and 4 are formed in the side edges of the formed bag for reception of the frame members to be now described.

Each frame member 10 is of generally U-shape, including a pair of curved legs 11 and 12 and a bight portion 13. The frames 10 are of a size such that when they are threaded through the openings 3 and 4 of the net 2 as shown in FIG. 1, and inserted into the bag, a degree of tension is already placed on the net. Offset portions 14 and 15 are associated with the ends of the legs 11 and 12 respectively of each frame member 10. Openings 16 and 17 are formed in the offset portions 14 and 15 respectively.

A connecting element 20 is provided, the ends of said connecting element being threaded for reception of bolts 21 and 22 therein. Upon insertion of the frame members 10 into the net 2 as shown by the arrows in FIG. 1, the connecting element 20 is positioned between the ends of the legs 11 and 12 of the frame members 10. The bolt 21 is inserted through the openings 16 in the offset portions 14 of the legs 11 of both frame members 10, being threaded into an end of the connecting element 20 (FIG. 2). The bolt 22 is inserted through the openings 17 in the offset portions 15 of the legs 12 of the frame members 10, being threaded into the other end of the connecting element 20. Thus, it will be seen that the legs of the frame members 10 are pivotally secured with respect to one another, the connecting element 20 extending therebetween and lying on the outside of the bag formed by the net 2.

When the apparatus is assembled as shown in FIG. 2, the frame members 10 are pivoted one with respect to the other as shown by the arrows in FIG. 3. As the frame members 10 are so pivoted, the connecting element 20 bears against the net 2. When the frame members 10 are pivoted to the position shown in FIG. 4, the connecting element 20 bears heavily against the net 2 and completely tensions the net for receiving seating loads. Any suitable means, such as the clamps 31 may be utilized for locking the frame members in the position shown in FIG. 4, and preventing their movement one with respect to the other. It will now be noted that one frame member and the associated part of the net 2 form a back B and the other frame member and the associated portion of the net 2 form a seat S. A suitable base 30 is then secured to the unit, as shown in FIG. 4, in the embodiment shown the base including a pair of clamping members 32 attached to the seat S.

It will now be seen that the chair 1 is formed from the frame members and a net covering tensioned thereon, the tensioning achieved by an extremely simplified method. If one wishes to remove the net 2 from the chair, the base 30 is removed therefrom and the clamps 31 are also removed. The frame members are then pivoted one with respect to the other in a direction reversed to that shown in FIG. 3. When pivoted to the position shown in FIG. 2, the bolts 21 and 22 are removed allowing the connecting element and the two frame members 10 to be removed from the net as shown in'FIG. 1. The net may be cleaned and mounted again as described hereinbefore. Due to the curvature of the legs Hand 12 of the frame members, the offset portions 14 and 15, and the connecting element 20, the pivoting of the frame members 10 in the manner described assures positive tensioning of the net 2. It should be understood that the offset portions 14 and 15 could be made a part of the connecting element and the sameeifect would'be achieved.

It will now be seen that a unit of furniture has been disclosed which utilizes a covering for supporting the weight of its user, means being provided for applying proper tension thereto to support the loads imposed by the individual user. The comfort .provided by such seating has thus been provided in a chair of relatively simple construction, it giving the user the benefit of being able to quickly change or launder the covering, together with the benefit of being able to tension the covering without the use of special tools.

While only one embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it may be possible to practice the invention through the utilization of certain other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Such other embodiments are to be included as part of this invention unless the following claims specifically state otherwise.

I claim:

1. A unit of furniture including in combination a covering comprising an essentially closed bag having an opening in each of its sides spaced generally midway between its ends: a pair of frame members of generally U-shape each including a pair of legs; said members insertable into said covering through said openings and extending to said ends of said covering; means for pivotally securing said legs of said members together; a connecting element detachably securable to and extending between generally the ends of said legs, said element positioned such that when said legs are in one position, said element applies tension to said net and in a second position applies no such tension; and means for detachably locking said frame members from movement with respect to one another after said members have been pivoted to a position where said frames and said element bear against said covering, tensioning said covering on said frames.

2. A unit of furniture including in combination a net material comprising an essentially closed bag having an opening in each of its sides spaced generally midway between its ends; a pair of frame members of generally U-shape each including a pair of curved legs; said members insertable into said net through said openings and extending to said ends of said net; means for pivotally securing said legs of said members together; a connecting element detachably securable to and extending between generally the ends of said legs, said element positioned such that when said legs are in one position, said element applies tension to said net and in a, second position applies no such tension, said element lying on the outside of said net; and means for detachably looking said frame members from movement with respect to one another after said members have ben pivoted to a position where said frames and said element bear against said net, tensioning said net on said frames,

3. A unit of furniture as defined in claim 2, said unit comprising a chair, one of said frames forming the back and the other of said frames forming the seat.

4. A unit of furniture including in combination a covering comprising an essentially closed bag having an opening in each of its sides spaced generally midway, between its ends; a pair of frame members of generally Ueshape each including a pair of legs and a portion offset from the end of each of said legs; and members insertable into said covering through said openings and extending to said ends of said covering; means for pivotally securing said legs of said members together; a connecting element detachably securable to and extending between said offset portions of said legs, said element lying on the outside of said covering; and means for detachably locking said frame members from movement with respect to one another after said members have been pivoted to a position where said frames and said element bear against said covering, tensioning said covering on said frames.

5. A unit of furniture including in combination a net 'material vcomprising an essentially closed bag having an opening in each .of its sides spaced generally midway between its ends; a pair of frame members of generally U-shape each including a pair of legs and a portion offset from the end of each of said legs; said members insertable into said net through said openings and extending to said ends of said net; means for pivotally securing said legs of said members together; a connectingtelement detachably securable to and extending be-, tween said offset portions of said legs, said element lying on the outside of said net; and means for detach ably locking said frame members from movement with respect to one another after said members have been pivoted to a position where said frames and said element bear against said net, tensioning said net on said frames.

6. A unit of furniture including in combination a net,

material comprising an essentially closed bag having an opening in each of its sides spaced generally midway between its ends; a pair of frame members of generally U-shape each including a pair of curved legs and a portion offset from the end of each of said legs; said members insertable into said net through said openings and extending to said ends of said net; means for pivotally securing saidv legs of said members together; a connecting element detachably securable to and extending References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 920,873 5/1909 Krwin 297441 1,999,560 4/1935 Brueckl 297378 2,089,818 8/ 1937 Terker 297440 2,679,287 5/ 1954 Eiseman 297441 2,722,967 11/ 1955 Reinholz 297-441 2,724,428 11/ 1955 Sellner 297440 2,803,291 8/1957 Meyer 297457 3,019,051 l/1962 Nugent 297218 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner, 

1. A UNIT OF FURNITURE INCLUDING IN COMBINATION A COVERING COMPRISING AN ESSENTIALLY CLOSED BAG HAVING AN OPENING IN EACH OF ITS SIDES SPACED GENERALLY MIDWAY BETWEEN ITS ENDS: A PAIR OF FRAME MEMBERS OF GENERALLY U-SHAPE EACH INCLUDING A PAIR OF LEGS; SAID MEMBERS INSERTABLE INTO SAID COVERING THROUGH SAID OPENINGS AND EXTENDING TO SAID ENDS OF SAID COVERING; MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY SECURING SAID LEGS OF SAID MEMBERS TOGETHER; A CONNECTING ELEMENT DETACHABLY SECURABLE TO AND EXTENDING BETWEEN GENERALLY THE ENDS OF SAID LEGS, SAID ELEMENT POSITIONED SUCH THAT WHEN SAID LEGS ARE IN ONE POSITION, SAID ELEMENT APPLIES TENSION TO SAID NET AND IN A SECOND POSITION APPLIES NO SUCH TENSION; AND MEANS FOR DETACHABLY LOCKING SAID FRAME MEMBERS FROM MOVEMENT WITH RESPECT TO ONE ANOTHER AFTER SAID MEMBERS HAVE BEEN PIVOTED TO A POSITION WHERE SAID FRAMES AND SAID ELEMENT BEAR AGAINST SAID COVERING, TENSIONING SAID COVERING ON SAID FRAMES. 